Learning to celebrate each new day

The last two years have been filled with so many emotions, ups and downs, and lots of changes. I've worked hard to enjoy the little moments in life because I think they are the most important at the end of the day. I take lots of photos and videos and journal everyday because I know that in a second things can change forever. I always want my kids to know how much I love them. Ryan and I make it a point to tell them everyday, multiple times a day. Maddison often responds with "I Knowwww! Y'all tell me alll the time!" I hope that one day when they are older they will be able to go back through old journals and photos and read about and see what was going on in our lives and how much we love them, and yes how often I wrote about cleaning the house and then being annoying. Can't let them get too big of a head on how cute and amazing I think they are.

I've also been working hard at slowing down and learning to enjoy me time. As a new stay at home mom I think it is even harder to find me time than it was when I was a working mom. There is pressure to keep the house clean, I have to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Which means lots of messes to clean up. Plus play with the kids, which also means more messes to clean up. We have homework and practicing new skills. Extra curricular activities. I thought once I was a stay at home mom I'd have so much free time but that has just been taken up by more messes and cleaning, but with added pressure because now you're at home all day so there is no reason it shouldn't all be getting done. Why did my Stay at home mom friends not warn me! It's a trap! I do really love being at home with the kids and being able to go to events and not stress about having to take off work if someone is sick or has doctor appointments. I love watching my kids play and learn and being able to teach them things. I want to be able to enjoy the last few years of my kids not talking back to me and thinking I'm the best mom "in the entire galaxy!" and thinking everything I do is great. I love how much they love me even with all my flaws and are so incredible fast to forgive.

This past month Ryan has been working a different shift at work. Instead of our wonderful 4 days of 10 hours and he is off on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. He is working night shift for 12 hours a night, 4 days on and one day off. Even on his "off" day he has to stay on the same schedule and he sleeps all day and then we get a few hours with him and we are off to bed. The kids have been having the worst time not getting to see him and spend time with him like they are used to doing. It's been really hard. It has put a lot of extra stress on me because the kids are acting up and I have them 24/7. I don't know how single parents do it! I have such respect for y'all! I truly believe in the saying that it takes a village to raise a child.

A stressed mom is not a happy mom. I have been making it a point to get them to bed early and try to have an hour of me time (after some kid free house cleaning! Wahoo) My favorite me time is any time I can pamper myself. I love a relaxing bath and maybe a episode of The Real Housewives. (Yeah it's my guilty pleasure! Don't judge me!) I love feeling pampered and when I can get something that makes me feel luxurious and stays within my budget, that is about as good as it gets. Thanks to Tryazon I was able to try some new products from Rituals Cosmetics. They are all organic and all about relaxation in your normal day to day. Finding your own moments to slow down and enjoy life and the little moments. The Sakura collection is celebrate each day as a new beginning. When I saw that I knew I had to try this line because that has been my new life motto this past year.

Not only are their products organic but their packaging material is 100% compostable

I was able to try out their new Sakura gift box. It comes with a foaming body wash, magic touch body cream, body scrub, and hand wash. Let me start out by saying the keepsake box that it comes in is just beautiful and perfect for a box to re-gift something in for someone or to keep special keepsakes. I loved the Sakura scent. The organic rice milk and cherry blossom smell was light but long lasting. It makes it perfect for someone who is sensitive to fragrances or if you're unsure if they will like a certain scent this would be the one to get. The body scrub is AMAZING!! Hands down the best one I've ever used. It left my skin so soft! The foaming shower gel works great and a little bit goes a long way. It comes out as a gel and quickly starts to foam, a lot like shaving cream. I loved how thick and creamy the lotion was, it doesn't leave a greasy residue on your skin like some other brands. Maddison stole the hand soap for her bathroom and she thinks it is pretty and smells great. I love the beautiful simplicity of the packaging of all the products. I can't express enough how much I loved this gift set and think it is perfect gift to get a loved one. They have so many new products that are coming out everyday as well as new rituals and fragrances and I'm so excited to try them.

Right now Macy's is running a promotion that if you spend $55 on Ritual products you also get a free Happy Buddha gift set if you want to stock up on some awesome Christmas presents for family and friends. If you want to get your own Rituals 4-pc Sakura gift set from Macy's  Click Here In addition that that awesome deal if you shop through Ebates, you can also get 8% cash back on your order! (offer through Nov 3) If you haven't used Ebates before you can get $10 cash back after your first order of $25 or more using my code Click Here This site is great for anytime you are ordering anything offline! I seriously love it.

If you want to see the full line of Ritual Products Click Here and if you want to get me a gift, I really want to try something from the new Yalda collection. 😉

Let me know what Rituals product/collection you'd like to try and I'll pick someone to send a free product to by the end of November! If you get a Ritual product let me know what collect you got and what you think about it! If you have any questions please let me know.